New Year’s Resolution Reboot: Midway Point Checkup

I recently sent an email to our staff, highlighting all of the positive things taking place at work. Initially, I acknowledged that we had reached the halfway point of the year, which presents an opportune time to reflect on the resolutions we made back in January.

Here are a few lighthearted resolutions that were mentioned:

• Read five books.
• Journal once a week.
• Avoid replying to people's Instagram stories when tipsy.
• Jokingly suggest stealing the hands off clocks from every house visited.
• Playfully gaslighting friends when they inquire about missing clock hands.

Obviously, the last few were jokes and not to be taken seriously. However, often many of us set resolutions with the best intentions, only to find ourselves quitting or feeling like we've failed within a few weeks. According to experts, these goals often lack realism, proper planning, and support from those around us, or we simply stop monitoring our progress.

However, since we still have half of the year ahead, we have a chance to readjust ourselves and move forward. This time, it might be beneficial to approach resolutions with self-compassion and set achievable targets. Instead of strict goals, consider establishing a theme to guide your actions.

Heather Moulder, J.D., ACC, a business and life coach, advocates for this approach. She suggests selecting a word or phrase as a theme to guide you throughout the year, focusing on areas of personal growth and development. Moulder shares a couple of examples:

• Balance: Concentrate on making deliberate choices that bring fulfillment at work and home while granting more quality time with family and friends.

• Connection: Aim to foster stronger connections with yourself, your family, your friends, and your business. Keep this intention in mind when setting goals and making significant decisions.

A few suggestions for possible themes for the remainder of the year could look like this:

• July: Be Adventurous and Explore Someplace New - Step out of your comfort zone and embark on exciting adventures this month.

• August: Learning and Personal Growth - Make August a month of self-improvement. Engage in activities that expand your knowledge and skills.

• September: Organization and Productivity - It's time to declutter and streamline your life. Set up effective organizational systems, create to-do lists, and establish routines that boost your productivity.

• October: Gratitude and Appreciation - Take time each day to reflect on what you're grateful for and spread kindness and appreciation to those around you.

• November: Giving Back and Kindness - Engage in volunteer work, donate to charities, or simply perform acts of kindness to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

• December: Reflection and Celebration - As the year comes to a close, take the time to reflect on your achievements, lessons learned, and personal growth.

Now, if you're still contemplating losing 10 or 15 pounds, set that goal and go for it. Just remember to keep it realistic and give yourself enough time to make it happen. Create a plan that you can fully commit to, and don't forget to track your progress along the way. It's more enjoyable when you involve your friends, too, so get them on board with your plan.

However, if you're starting your journey halfway through the year, why not try setting up a theme or two? These themes will be your personal slogans that you can look back on come December 31st and feel proud of.